Implement with adjustable head



Dec. 15, 1942. L.E.'HEINER IMPLEMENT WITH ADJUST ABLE HEAD Filed Aug. 1., 1941 v: NVENTOR. Janey Hem/n2 25 gz Z irra IVA-Y; I

Patented Dec. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE IMPLEMENT WITH ADJUSTABLE HEAD Larry E. Heiner, Redwood City, Calif. Application Augustl, 1941, Serial No. 405,012

4 Claims.

My invention relates to adjustable head implements, and particularly to a broom or similar device in which the angle between the working head and the handle may be varied during use.

When a conventional type of push broom is used, difllculty is often experienced in sweeping restrictedareas, such as corners, under furniture. This is due to the fact that the head of the broom is secured rigidly normal to the handle.

There are a number of connection arrangements known in the art for fixing a working head to a handle at some angle other than 90, in order to use the implement in such restricted areas. In such of these devices as are known to me, changing this angle interferes with the use of the head, or else the arrangements are open to the objection that it is necessary to stop using the tool in order to effect the adjustment.

My invention overcomes these difficulties by providing a simple, instantaneous adjustment of the angle between the working 'head and the handle in the plane in which it is most eifective, the adjustment being made by the operator, without having to interrupt his work at all, through deformation of a quadrilateral linkage between the handle and the head.

The objects of my invention thus include:

Providing a more efficient'tool for sweeping;

Providing an instantaneous angular adjustment between the working head and handle ofa push broom;

Making possible angular adjustment of a push broom head relative to its handle without stopping use of the broom; 1

Providing an adjustable type handle to which a variety of working heads may be secured;

Permitting positioning of a working head instantaneously to the angle relative to the handle which is most effective for the immediate use; and

Providing a simple, inexpensive construction for an adjustable head.

It will be obvious that, while the construction set forth in the drawing is that of a preferred embodiment, I may adapt the principles of my invention to other structural embodiments in achieving the above objects and others which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of my invention incorporated in a push broom;

Fig. 2 illustrates the device of Fig. l in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the device, taken as indicated by line 3-3 of Fig. I.

In the drawing, I have illustrated the principles of m invention with reference to a push broom. It will be recognized, however, that I may use my invention with a variety of working heads. For example, the problem of angular adjustment of the head to allow most efficient use of the tool is present in rakes, window washers, mops, and a number of similar devices: In all such devices the problem may be solved by the use of my invention. In some cases it may be desirable to manufacture the working head and handle as a unit; in other cases the head and handle may be removably connected, so that a variety of working heads could be used with the same handle.

In brief, my structure includes a rigid handle portion to which are pivotally joined two parallel rods, in turn pivotally connected to the working head. The operator holds the rigid handle portion in one hand, and grasps the parallel rods, or a handle grip attached thereto, with the other hand. The angle of the Working head relative to the handle may be changed by simply pushing the rigid handle portion to one 5, and the working head 6. Ihe rigid handle 2 is joined to the parallel rods 4 and 5 by pivotal connections 1 and 8, respectively. Rods 4 and 5 arein turn linked to the broom head 6 by pivotal connections 9 and I0, respectively to a mounting bracket ll secured on head 6 at an angle.

If, now, the parallel rods 4 and5 were grasped loosely in one hand by the user, the rigid handle 2 held in the other hand, and the device I used without moving handle 2 out of axial alinement with rods 4 and 5, the head 6 would remain normal to handle 2 and rods 4 and 5, and function in the fashion normal to push brooms.

If, however, rigid handle 2 were to be moved counterclockwise, as indicated by the dotted line position 12 in Fig. 1, head 6 would be turned, by the parallel linkage consisting of pivots I, 8, 9, and I0 and rods 4 and 5, counterclockwise to the dotted line position I6, and the operator would then be able to sweep in restricted areas, such as corner under furniture, which might otherwise fail to receive attention, or which would require a disproportionate amount of time. As soon as the particular area was cleaned, the operator could restore the head 6 to normal by simply returning the handle 2 in a clockwise direction to its original position in alinement with rods 4and 5.

It is desirable both to maintain the parallelism of the rods and as a convenience to the user to provide a hand grip 20 about the rods 4 and 5. The grip 20 may be conveniently formed of two halves secured together by bolts 2|. Parallel channels 22 and 24 are formed within grip 26 to receive rods 4 and 5 respectively. It is contemplated that the channel 22 will fit tightly about rod 4 when bolts 2| are tightened, while channel 24 will make a loose fit with rod 5.

Thus handle 20 is held in the position most convenient for use, and yet relative movement parallel to their axes is permitted between rods 4 and 5. The channel 24 has been illustrated in Fig. 3 as being widened transversely of rod 5. It will be obvious that when handle 2 is turned through a considerable arc, the center-to-center spacing of rods 4 and 5 will be reduced, and the widening of channel 24 prevents binding when this occurs, while still providing substantial support.

In some cases where the use of more flexible rods is permissible, the channel 24 may be of circular cross-section and make a loose sliding fit with rod 5. Dependence is then placed on the bending of rods 4 and 5 to permit control of the head 6 without binding in the handle 26.

The mounting bracket l l is formed to hold head 6 at an angle to the handle assembly so that the bristles 25 will be held normal to the floor when the broom is used in usual fashion. When handle 2 is then turned to one sideor the other to tilt head 6, the movement of the head will occur in a plane parallel to the floor. This is most desirable, since the angular adjustment of the head is obtained without tilting the bristles 25 of the head out of their best sweeping position, that is, normal to the floor.

When my invention is used with other working heads, such as a rake or a window-cleaning squeegee, it may be desirable to have the mounting bracket shaped to hold the working head at different angles to the handle than is desirable in the case of a push broom. All such variations, as well as any type of detachable mounting bracket, not shown, which would be usable with a variety of working heads, are deemed to be within the skill of anyone familiar with the art and to be included within the scope of the 'movement of rod 5 relative to rod 4, and helps to maintain the parallel alinement of these rods, and that the grip might be expanded to form a protective sleeve all along the rods.

In summary, my invention provides means for instantly changing the angle between a handle and a working head in a plane parallel to the surface being worked upon. The change is positively controlled without any interruption of the work, and hence restricted areas may be treated in a minimum of time and with the implement in the most efiective position at all times. The construction is simple, with few moving parts, and can be manufactured very economically. When desired, a single handle may be used interchangeably with a variety of working heads.

I claim:

1. An implement of the class described comprising a handle, a pair of links pivotally connected to said handle, and a working head pivotally connected to the opposite ends of said links by pivotal connections disposed in a plane parallel to the plane in which the pivotal connections between said links and said handle are disposed; the axes of all of said pivotal connections being substantially parallel.

2. An adjustable head implement, comprising a working head, a handle, parallel connecting members joining said head and said handle through parallel pivots, and means for utilizing relative movements between said handle and said parallel members to position said head.

3. An adjustable head implement, comprising a handle arranged to be held at an acute angle to a surface to be worked upon, a working head arranged to be held at a preferred angle differing from that of said handle to said surface, parallel links extending between said head and said handle, and parallel pivots joining said links to said head and said handle.

4. In a device having a handle and a working head operable at a preferred angle relative to the axis of said handle in a first plane of reference, means for controlling the angular position of said head relative to the axis of said handle in a second plane of reference perpendicular to said first plane of reference, comprising a quadrilateral linkage between said head and said handle, pivots disposed at each corner of said linkage normal to said second plane of reference, and means for holding parallel elements of said linkage in fixed position while said handle is turned in said second plane of reference.

LARRY E. HEINER. 

